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I started my paleo-adventure 4 days ago, this is my fifth day. I'm feeling pretty okay, a slight headache most of the time and had to get used to eating that much meat and fat and stuff. But it's alright now.

The only thing I'm worried about is my weight. I've been a skinny person my whole life, being able to eat anything. And I was happy to have gained some weight the last couple of months (from 74kg to 79,6kg). Now that I started strict-paleo, I'm gradually losing weight (all evening-measurements):

day 0(day before starting off):79,6 day 1: 78,6 day 2: 78 day 3: 77,8 day 4: 77,2 day 5: 77,2 right now (some hours before dinner)

2,4kg down that is. I assume your body needs to adjust to burning fat instead of carbs (and not touch the little bodyfat I have...), but is there a way to prevent this temporary weightloss? Or is it possibly another thing causing this?

I've been keeping track of my food on FitDay and I believe the ratio's are pretty okay: day 3: 2800 cal, 59 fat, 26 protein, 14 carb day 4: 3500 cal, 56 fat, 31 protein, 13 carb day 5: so far: 1900 cal, 54 fat, 27 protein, 18 carb

Trying to eat more calories, but I'm just stuffed after every meal, it's hard to eat a lot more. Add fat for more calories? More carbs to gain bodyfat? I'm confused :p

Oh, I've been working out every day except for day 1 and today: CrossFit.

Thanks!

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This general rule works all the time for cases like you (and me): start with about one gram protein per pound body weight. Don't make them too lean and you'll get enough fat from what is attached to the meat cuts. Then add carbohydrate as needed around that. Start arbitrary like 150 grams carb and watch for a week or two and then add or subtract carbohydrate in 50 gram-ish amounts till you find a good body composition. – ben61820 May 5 2011 at 16:33

5 Answers

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I had the exact same problem as you (I was very fit when I started paleo and did not make the switch to lose weight). I lost five pounds in three days, not on purpose. It took me a few weeks to figure out how to stabilize.

First thing I did was add a little more fruit. Instead of trying for 60% fat, try for 50% and add 5% to your carbs and proteins. This seemed to work for me. You will probably have to dial it in a little bit, but try each variation for at least three days before changing (if you are still losing, three days should be enough to figure it out).

I also found that I couldn't do explosive workouts (like crossfit) unless I added some carbs. As long as I was doing endurance/sustained activity I was fine, but I needed to add carbs for the quick energy stuff.

Good luck, stabilizing can be hard if you're already fit!

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There's probably another thing causing this: water weight loss. You didn't lose 5 pounds in 5 days, don't worry!

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1 
 Note that in a recent Ultimate Fighting contest preparation phase, Jake Shields lost almost 20 pounds in one day. Water weight is a big deal. – Kamal♦ May 5 2011 at 15:18
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 And he should have lost that fight to Kampmann :P good to know there's another MMA fan around here! – becker May 5 2011 at 16:42
Agreed; the depletion of glycogen causes quite a lot of water loss. I think it's 2-3g of water for every g of glycogen. – Travis Culp♦ May 5 2011 at 18:16
I can't believe Jake Shields' coaches don't inform him of the simple fact that vegan fighters cannot defeat GSP. – Kamal♦ May 5 2011 at 18:48
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You're probably losing some water weight. You may be losing some fat if you are thin but "skinny fat." How is your body composition changing?

If you are losing muscle mass and want to boost your appetite, eat starchy paleo food such as sweet potatoes.

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Body comp hasn't really changed, still seem to progressively be gaining muscle as always. Waist seems at most slightly thinner, but that's it. I knew you could easily lose around a kg or so through water, haven't thought about it in this case. Thanks, I'll keep it in mind (and probably drink more) ;) – Dirk-Jan May 5 2011 at 15:25
I agree it's water weight. Drinking water isn't the point, because water is attached to glycogen stores, which may lessen as you decrease carbs at first. If you're at most slightly thinner and you're gaining muscle, then enjoy and skip the scale. Note it's the same issue for people who lost 10 lbs the first week and have been "stalled" for the month after. That person would probalby have lost water at first, and then the water slowly came back as fat went away. Pant size is what it's all about. – Michael May 5 2011 at 17:08
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I'm kind of like you, except I went from thin/lean as a kid to overweight as an adult until I started eating Paleo. I would suggest taking the heavy lifting from CrossFit and just doing that (power and Olympic lifts with body weight exercises for warm ups).

I would also suggest increasing carbs from healthy sources like sweet/regular potatoes, fruit, etc. See what that does. I bumped up my carbs to around 150g/day and haven't gained any fat that I can tell. It's working for me, but of course everyone is different.

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I do about 250 grams carbs on lifting days. The OP could try that, and then still 200-300 grams on non lifting days and see of that doesn't maintain weight, if not help to pack it on. – ben61820 May 5 2011 at 16:30
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I quickly shed 5 lbs when I started (6' 153 on day 0, 148 on day 5), but I was able to add most of it back within a month or so.

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